David Cameron: 'Dennis Skinner is a dinosaur'

The Prime Minister answered the veteran Labour MP's question over his appointment of the former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as his Downing Street spokesman by referring to him as a "dinosaur".

After Mr Skinner suggested that the PM should explain his reasons for employing him to the Leveson inquiry into media standards, Mr Cameron replied: "It's good to see the honourable gentleman in such good form.

"I often say to my children 'no need to go to the national history museum to see a dinosaur, come to the House of Commons at about half past twelve."

The insult was greeted by cries of "shame" and hoots of laughter in the chamber.

The hashtag Dennis Skinner rapidly became a trend on Twitter with accusations raised that David Cameron appeared ageist.

The former deputy leader of the Labour party, John Prescott tweeted: "On my old flatmate Dennis Skinner being called a dinosaur by Cameron. Better a dinosaur than a Flashman!"

Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, weighed in with: "Whatever anyone might say about him, Dennis Skinner was working for his constituents in Bolsover years before David Cameron went to Eton."